Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II who becomes the longest reigning monarch ever. She surpasses her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria today at approximately 5.30pm at which point she will have reigned for approximately 23,226 days 17 hours and 30 minutes.

The Queen will be marking this momentous occasion with a trip to Scotland. Where she will be opening the new Scottish Borders Railway project. Ever the professional the Queen will be working hard today and it will be documented by Celebrity photographer Mary McCartney, daughter of Sir Paul McCartney. Mary McCartney is said to be thrilled at the prospect describing the Queen as ‘ A Beacon for Womankind’.

The exact moment will be marked up and down the land with church bells ringing and the Houses of Parliament will cease for an hour at 5.30pm as a sign of respect. Tower Bridge will lift as HMS Belfast passes and will release a four gun salute, followed by a flotilla, including the Royal rowbarge ‘The Gloriana’ down the Thames.

The Prime Minster, David Cameron, is set to chair the hour long tribute to Her majesty in The Houses of Parliament today at 5.30pm. There will be statements throughout the day from all the members of the Commonwealth wishing the Queen best wishes for today and the future.

In 2016 the nation and the Commonwealth will celebrate the Queens 90th birthday what a wonderful and remarkable inspiration she is to all Spring Chickens !

‘I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else – I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.’ Queen Elizabeth II . 1957.